Paradise regained

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-9

Sermon notes

The glorious future of the redeemed    Hebrews 2:5-9

In this epistle the Apostle establishes the greatness of Christ as the mediator/Redeemer of His people. Part of that argument is seen in Chapter 1—the superiority of Christ to the angels, 1:4, 7-8, 13. What the Scripture reveals of the angels becomes a measure of the greatness of Christ who is superior to them. Interestingly, he continues to consider the angels, v5, as he begins to write of the impact of the gospel in the lives of the redeemed. Now is argument is that redeemed man in Christ is raised to a position superior to the angels—to the degree that angels are the servants of the redeemed, 1:14.

He has described the gospel and its impact as a so great salvation, v3. Great because of the proven power and majesty of the Saviour; great because of the impact it has on sinners.

An immediate explanation of so great follows in v5. The idea is that the gospel raises sinful mankind to a position of glory and honour which will be superior to the angels of glory. He immediately begins to enlarge on this glorious purpose of God for men in our text.

In these verses the Apostle considers the purpose of God from three perspectives in time and human experience:

• creation
• the present fallen condition of man
• the future glory of the redeemed in the earth.

He uses words from Ps 8:4-5.

I THE GLORIOUS PURPOSE OF GOD IS REVEALED IN CREATION.

Cp v7-8. This is a view of man fresh from the creating hand of God.

1. He was created a little lower than the angels. In the purpose of God for mankind, man was created to be lower than the angels for a little time. This seems to be a reference to man’s probationary period in the garden of Eden. The words indicate ‘a little while inferior to’…(Acts 5:34, Ps 8:5 & 37:10). Had Adam passed this probation here is what he and his race would have been exalted to! In another sense, the ‘little while’ for the redeemed is their present experience of waiting—on earth or in heaven—until the return of Christ and their glorification in the earth.
2. He was created to be a king, v7. God made man for him to reign in glory, higher than the angels. It is striking to see the very same expression used in v9 of the position presently enjoyed by the risen triumphant Christ. This is what man was created for.
3. He was made to rule over creation, v7-8. Cp Gen 1:26, 28. Emphatically, everything was placed under man’s dominion and control.

II MAN’S FALL DESTROYED HIS EXPERIENCE OF THIS GRAND PURPOSE FOR THE PRESENT.

1. Now this purpose is not visible in man, v8. The present condition of man is not what it was at creation. The purpose of God remains the same, man’s experience of it has changed. For this reason the writer says not yet… Adam’s fall under probation brought sin and misery on his race rather than life and glory. Cp Rom 5:12, 19. God created mankind with the purpose of bringing sinners to glory through Christ.
2. A telling question, v6.What is man… The reality is that man in his fallen condition, and in successive generations, is unworthy of such notice and fellowship. He is unworthy of participation in the grand purposes of God!
3. A stark contrast. The writer goes on to introduce details of man’s present condition. Death, v9, 14-15; estrangement from God because of sin, v17. Natural man is in bondage under the broken covenant of works. He is bound to keep the law, but can never—because of sin—escape the curse of the broken law. This is where man is now by nature. Far from what God purposed in creation.

This reality sets the scene for the merciful intervention of God through Christ in the gospel.

III   RESTORED TO GLORIOUS STANDING IN CHRIST.

1. The purpose of God for man in creation will be realized in the world to come, v5. I believe this to be a reference to this present creation rather than the eternal state in the new heavens and new earth. The Greek word world is in every instance of its use in the NT a reference to the present physical ‘earth’. The Apostle has already set before us the prospect of a changed creation where Christ will reign, 1:8, 10-12. Cp 10:12-13. This is the millennial earth. This creation in which Adam was first placed will be ruled by the redeemed as kings in glory and honour. Cp Matt 13:43; 25:34, 31, 21, 23; Rev 5:10, 20:6—v8-9 emphatically places this reign on this present earth.
2. The secret of restoration. What is it that makes it possible for man to repossess what he lost in the Fall? A sight of Christ, v9. We must see Christ in a certain way in order to be restored to an experience of God’s glorious purpose. Here is a gospel/saving view of the Saviour.

• His incarnation, v9. Here is His humiliation. He became man to redeem man. As a man He satisfied the demands of the law to secure the release of the sinner from the condemnation of a broken law.
• His death. His death here is seen to be for all His people. Every man who will share in the glory of ruling and reigning with Christ, He died for.
• His exaltation, v9. He is crowned with glory and honour…because of the success of His mediation. Faith sees and rests in the success of Christ’s finished work.
• The grace of God, v9. In this simple fashion, the basis of man’s restoration to an experience of the glorious purpose of the Creator, is seen to be the kindness of God. Adam had the opportunity to gain this by obedience to God’s command. He failed and legal works cannot obtain it today. Only the gospel of grace can restore man.

Here is the privileged status that saints are elevated to in Christ.